“So now we have to wait until after this-” Ares started, before looking at the invitation in his hand “-meet and greet with all of the diplomats.”

“Yes, for the thirtieth time.” Aphrodite said, reading over her own. “They want us to meet all of the powerful civilizations while we’re here. They don’t know we plan on leaving as soon as we get the Seed and never coming back.”

“So is it wise to let them continue believing otherwise?” Hades asked, walking back in from the balcony.

“Let them believe whatever they want. If it makes our mission easier, we’re going to do it.” Aphrodite replied, tossing her invitation to him.

“This seems more like they want us to connect with the different people here. Give us a reason to stay, to help.” Hades responded, catching the invitation. “I count 9 species we have to actually meet. Other than that, it’s just a bunch of nobility of assorted countries here to rub elbows with others exactly like them.”

“Which means we have to be on our best behavior. I don’t want either of you two fighting, even if they try to start it. If they move to attack you in a lethal manner, you are allowed to defend yourselves.” Aphrodite said, watching out the open window as the sun was setting.

“Tomorrow will come quickly, and what happens will happen.”

Wake up Twily.

Twilight snapped her eyes open, sitting up fast enough to make herself dizzy.

“Whoa, what happened.” She asked, putting a hand across her eyes.

“You passed out in the throne room. You must have been under a lot of stress to just pass out like that.” Celestia said, closing the curtains. “Is there anything you need to get off your chest Twilight?” She walked over and sat down on the edge of Twilight’s bed.

Do you want to tell her that you connected with the artifact? That as you speak I’m whispering into your head? She would lock you away.

“It’s nothing Princess.” Twilight said, forcing a smile.

“Very well then Twilight. I’ll cast a spell on you so you can sleep without having to worry about dreams.” Celestia said, her horn glowing as she gathered up her magic.

“Thank you Princess.” Twilight said as the magic washed over her.

“I hope you realize that you can come to me for anything.” Celestia said, running a hand through Twilight’s mane before leaving.

She had to prepare for tomorrow’s party after all.

The party was in full swing. Nobles conversed with nobles, bragging about how much more money they earned this year than that noble over there.

“I hate these things.” Ares said, groaning as he walked past a group of unicorn nobles that were conversing about taking over some such organization.

“They’re a necessary evil. The ponies here hold these parties to reconnect with friends they haven’t talked with in awhile.” Aphrodite said, walking alongside him.

“I would prefer being tossed back into the fields of Hellena without my armor.” He said, casting a quick glance at her. She had somehow found a dress that fit over her armor, while not revealing that she was wearing it. “Why have you chosen to dress as a civilian rather than the soldier you are?”

“Many of these species are incapable of seeing a female as a warrior. The women are supposed to stay at home, watching the children and cooking while the males go out and fight.” Aphrodite replied, waving at a noblewoman who passed by and complimented her on her clothing. “A very outdated belief, but these are very young worlds. They want to protect their women the best they can, so they leave them at home.”

“That is very sad. They limit their own armies by doing so.” Ares said, casting his eyes over the different groups around them. “Do you wish for me to leave you be so you can converse with others like you? I would prefer to disappear like Hades did, but I know that will not happen with how large I am.”

“If you want to leave, you can leave. I’m the only one of us that will actually do any talking. Go occupy yourself with something that doesn’t involve hurting the beings here.” Aphrodite said, looking up at him and smiling.

“Very well then. If you need me, call and I will come.” He said, saluting before he disappeared off into the crowd.

“I thought he would never leave. He’s quite fearsome, huh.” A female voice said from directly behind Aphrodite. She spun around and came face to face with two wolves, both obviously feminine.

“Xinrick, of the wolves. This is Fenrir.” She said, pointing to her friend. “We’ve been following you for awhile to try to talk to you.”

“It’s nice to meet you Xinrick, I’m Aphrodite.” Aphrodite replied, extending a hand out.

Xinrick ignored it and brought Aphrodite into a hug.

“Uhm. I usually do not allow anyone to hold me like this.” Aphrodite said, squirming to get out.

Xinrick let go and backed up a few steps, the fur on her face gaining a tint of red. “I am sorry about that. We usually greet others very physically.”

“It’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“That’s good. We haven’t heard much about the visitors from beyond Luna’s sky other than they have two soldiers guarding their diplomat.” Fenrir said, hoping to get the conversation to other topics.

“I am a soldier as well. What good is a diplomat should things head south while she is alone?”

“That is surprising.There are almost no female soldiers in any of the militaries here.” Xinrick commented, as she started walking off towards another of the groups. After a look passed between Aphrodite and Fenrir, they both shrugged and followed after her.

“Ah Aven, Shadow. There you are.” Xinrick said, walking up to two griffins who were talking to some dragons. “And you even got Firethorne and Icethorne away from the diamond dogs. I thought you would argue forever about gems, like always.”

“It is good to see you again as well Xinrick.” Firethorne said, a gout of flame blowing out of his snout at her.

“We do not always argue about the gems. Sometimes we talk about trade deals, since the mines in the Drakken Fields have started reporting lower output.” Icethorne stepped in.

“You know I’m kidding. Anyways, I found the diplomat from beyond Luna’s night.” Xinrick said, turning around to look at Aphrodite and Fenrir as they walk up. “May I introduce Aphrodite.”

A general murmur of greeting was thrown towards her, with the griffins bowing and the dragons nodding their heads at her.

“It is nice to meet you all as well.” Aphrodite said, putting her fist to her chest in salute.

“So you’re a soldier. We were told that you were a diplomat while the two with you are your guards.” Aven said, his military training kicking in to surmise the threat. She didn’t appear armed, or physically strong. His mind came to the conclusion that should they fight, he would come out on top.

“While they are my guards, I am more than just a diplomat. I’m the squad leader of the Phoenix Squadron, and I earned that position.” Aphrodite said.

“So what rank do you actually hold in your military?” Shadow asked.

“High Consulate.”

“And your two guards?” Fenrir asked.

“Hades holds Lieutenant Commander and Ares is Brigadier General.”

“So you hold a higher rank than either of those two?” Xinrick asked, a look of shock on her face. “Very unusual to see a female soldier, let alone one that outranks two males that appear to be so very dangerous.”

“She probably got it by ‘bowing’ before her superiors.” A voice said from behind, followed by several bouts of laughter.

Xinrick faceclawed as she turned to face the voice. “For once can’t you just keep your mouth shut Blueblood?”

“Of course not. Females have no place in the military structure, and to say otherwise is just asking for trouble. They are meant to stay at home and take care of the children.” He said, jabbing his elbow into the noble next to him. While Blueblood was blind to the look Aphrodite was giving him, the noble was not.

She had lost her smile, and in its place was a visible hatred. Anger was exuding from her in waves.

A loud smack echoed out, drawing the attention of everyone around them.

“Saying such a thing is disgusting and you should be horribly disgraced that you even said them.” Xinrick said, her claws leaving distinct marks across his face.

“You would dare touch me? I’ll have you flayed you impotent whelp.” Blueblood screamed, raising his hand to strike back.

As his fist would have made contact with Xinrick, it was suddenly stopped by another hand.

“You get your rocks off by insulting women and beating them when they defend themselves? Why don’t you try doing that to me.” Aphrodite said, shoving him back. “How about a duel, whatever weapons we want. Aetherian Rules.”

“Very well, Fancy Pants.” Blueblood said, turning to the noble. “Go tell Auntie Tia that her guest challenged me to a duel and to have a medical team on standby.”

The noble bowed and ran off. Blueblood turned back to Aphrodite.

“I hope you’re ready for a beating you deserve.” He said, before storming off.

“Don’t you know who that was? That’s Blueblood. He’s the reigning champion of the Annual Duels.” Aven said, surprised at Aphrodite’s actions.

“That is no excuse for what he did. And apparently this is a long time coming.” Aphrodite replied, as she started taking off her dress. All the men in the group quickly looked away.

Xinrick rushed over, trying to stop her. “You don’t need to get undressed out here. Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private.” She said, trying to pull the dress back down.

“I don’t need to. I am always ready to fight.” She said, opting to just tear the dress off. It revealed that she had thin, grey, layered plate mail with phoenix emblems etched into the shoulders. “I earned my rank. The very idea that I would give myself to my superiors to do such a thing sickens me, and shames the names of both Aetheria and Prophet himself.”

“I have a very bad feeling about this.” Xinrick said, watching as Aphrodite pulled two gloves out of a pocket in the armor.

“Which way to the dueling grounds?” Aphrodite asked, tugging the gloves onto her hands. They fit perfectly, obviously designed with her in mind.

“We’ll take you there. But there is still time to withdraw from the duel. Blueblood is no pushover in one on one combat. He’s killed several griffins and wounded a dragon.” Aven said, walking up to Aphrodite. If looks could kill, the one she gave him at that would have put him six feet under. “Nevermind. I believe you can handle yourself well enough.”

“Dueling grounds. Now.” She said, her voice losing every ounce of friendliness it had had just a few minutes earlier.

The group moved off, hoping to get there before a large crowd had gathered.

Unfortunately, word had gotten around that Blueblood was going to duel the diplomat from beyond the stars.

As they approached the gate for the challenger, Hades and Ares appeared out of the crowd.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to be hostile towards the natives?” Hades asked, falling into step with the group.

“He insulted High Prophet himself, by suggesting that I was promoted by using my body as a bargaining chip.” Aphrodite replied, sparing a glance at Hades. It looked like he had found quite the party group to hang out with, being decked from head to toe in streamers and confetti.

“Then he has earned what will happen to him. May the Blade Dancers of the First Gate guide his blade.” Ares said, muttering a small prayer for her fight.

“He had best hope the Tower Knights of the Third are on his side. I challenged him by Aetherian rules.” Aphrodite said, as Firethorne and Icethorne peeled off to mutterings of finding good seats.

“Then he had better move fast and strike faster.” Hades said, offering up his own prayer.

The small group came to a door, with a guard standing by it.

“Only the challenger may enter the arena. The rest of you must find seats in the upper floors.” He said, holding his spear across the gate as Aphrodite entered. Ares and Hades simply nodded before moving off to the side.

“What were you talking about, Blade Dancers and Tower Knights of Gates?” Xinrick asked, opting to stay with the two guards.

“While religion is a choice, many of the squadron commanders directly under High Prophet choose to follow the Path of War. When a soldier dies, they are set upon the Path. Along the way, they will come across gates guarded by other soldiers. If they are victorious, they continue, but if they lose they become a resident of that gate. If you successfully pass through all nine gates, you are granted true rest alongside the First Prophet.” Hades spoke up. “It is an afterlife perfect for those who live like we do. If you are skilled, you will rise in rank and in turn you are more likely to travel farther along the path once you die.”

“Why offer enemies the protection of your own deities though?” Fenrir asked, confused.

“If our enemies fight with the blessings of the guards of our afterlife, and we come out victorious, it means that we are stronger than those guards. If someone carries the blessing of a certain gate and they lose, it means the victor will pass to higher gates and greater reward.” Ares explained this part.

“What is the highest blessing you offer an enemy?” Aven asked, his curiosity piqued.

“The guardianship of the Arc-Knights of the Ninth Gate. Should you trump an enemy carrying that blessing, it is for a fact that you will earn a true rest alongside First Prophet.”

“How often does someone beat someone else carrying that blessing?” Shadow asked. “If they are the final guards to your true afterlife, they must be very powerful indeed.”

“The only ones to overcome an enemy carrying that blessing are warriors recorded to history, and the Prophets themselves.” Ares said, as he heard a roar echo through the door. “It seems as though the duel is to start soon.”

Aphrodite had walked through the door to chanting. Across the way she could see Blueblood, in what looked like normal iron chain link armor.

From above Celestia descended, landing in the center of the arena. Upon touching down, the entire arena fell silent.

“I am to understand you have challenged my nephew Blueblood to a duel. I am to expect this is for a good reason if I am to give my blessing.” She said, as she walked over to Aphrodite.

“He directly insulted me, and indirectly insulted my superior officer by suggesting I earned my rank by offering my body.” Aphrodite said, spitting at the ground.

“Then this duel indeed carries my blessing. Are you fighting by our rules or your own?” Celestia asked.

“He accepted by Aetherian rules, without asking what they consisted of.” Aphrodite said, a sadistic grin growing on her face.

“Very well. If he accepted, I cannot voice an objection about his lack of knowledge.” She said, as she took flight. She circled the arena once before landing on a platform halfway up the stands.

“We have tonight a duel, between the reigning champion Blueblood of Equestria-” A loud roar echoed out as his name was spoken, “-and the diplomat of the Aetherians Aphrodite.” A roar echoed out as her name was spoken, a majority of those cheering evidently female.

“Each fighter will choose one weapon, and whatever armor and abilities they carry on themselves in order to fight. What do you choose Champion Blueblood?” She asked, turning to him.

He reached behind him to grab a large broadsword from the noble he had been with earlier.

“I choose my trusted weapon Scalebreaker.” He shouted, hoisting it above his head.

“Very well, and you Aphrodite?” She turned to Aphrodite, hoping she carried some kind of weapon.

“I need nothing more than my gloves.”

Blueblood laughed, almost dropping his sword. “You expect to beat me with nothing but some cloth gloves? You are criminally insane. Auntie, are you going to let her fight without some kind of weapon?” He asked, turning to look at Celestia.

“If that is her choice. You are fighting by her rules Blueblood. Rules you never bothered to ask about. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“This will be a breeze. I’ll put her in her place, and then we’ll get back to the party.” He said, getting in a few practice swings with his sword.

Aphrodite on the other hand, had walked into the center of the arena, and had lowered herself into a martial stance.

“If you are so sure of yourself, then come and fight.”

The crowd roared at that, drowning out his response.

Author's Note

Shoutout to my friend Xinrick, who not only helped create the original idea for this but allowed me to use his OC as well as helping me come up with some names for a few of the diplomats.